Austin vs Bangkok vs Barcelona vs Berlin vs Budapest vs Buenos Aires vs Cape Town vs Hanoi vs Madrid

Austin 🇺🇸
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Bangkok 🇹🇭
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Barcelona 🇪🇸
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Berlin 🇩🇪
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Budapest 🇭🇺
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Buenos Aires 🇦🇷
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Cape Town 🇿🇦
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Hanoi 🇻🇳
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Madrid 🇪🇸
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Population 926,426 5,680,000 5,585,556 3,400,000 1,768,073 2,900,000 4,617,560 8,053,663 6,578,0179
Official language(s) English (de facto) Thai Catalan, Spanish German Hungarian Spanish Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans and English Vietnamese Spanish
Level of English Very high Low High Very high High High Very high Moderate Moderate
Main airport Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) Berlin Tegel (TXL) Budapest Ferihegy International Airport (BUD) Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE) Cape Town International Airport (CPT) Nội Bài International Airport (HAN) Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD)
Most common months to visit March - May, September - November January - March, November, December April - June, September - November May - September March - June, September - November September - December March - May, September - November January, February, October - December March - May, September - November
Currency USD - US Dollar ($) THB - Thai Baht (฿) EUR - Euro (€) EUR - Euro (€) HUF - Hungarian Forint (Ft) ARS - Argentine Peso ($) ZAR - South African Rand (R) VND - Vietnamese Dong (₫) EUR - Euro (€)
Credit cards Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost everywhere Accepted almost evewhere Accepted in some places but cash often preferred Accepted almost everywhere, cash needed for small shops Accepted everywhere. (ID required!) Accepted almost everywhere, but cash still needed in smaller shops Accepted in some places. Cash often preferred. Accepted everywhere
Remote worker visa No No Yes Yes No No No No Yes
Average monthly costs $3484 $1560 $2384 $2200 $1230 $1321 $1549 $1167 $2498
Rent $1650 $616 $932 $939 $499 $844 $618 $503 $1174
Groceries $243 $191 $121 $188 $108 $98 $129 $151 $175
Dining out $396 $168 $403 $271 $202 $121 $269 $134 $313
Cafe $66 $45 $45 $57 $29 $25 $32 $39 $51
Coworking space $331 $127 $213 $174 $120 $95 $151 $72 $196
Mobile internet $40 $23 $10 $23 $9 $11 $27 $4 $10
Public transportation $110 $32 $127 $88 $36 $9 $55 $20 $78
Taxis $73 $19 $48 $58 $27 $9 $21 $13 $44
Shared bicycles and scooters $96 $17 $24 $17 $13 $14 $49 $0 $49
Sport and cultural events $54 $46 $81 $64 $24 $24 $19 $3 $54
Museums and sights $11 $21 $33 $37 $7 $4 $15 $4 $20
Nightlife $124 $50 $112 $63 $43 $23 $43 $89 $82
Gym $62 $96 $81 $66 $37 $14 $36 $57 $44
Yoga $139 $98 $93 $99 $48 $19 $56 $57 $142
Massage $89 $11 $59 $56 $26 $10 $30 $21 $64
SIM card options AT&T, T-Mobile. AIS Vodafone, Movistar Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone Vodafone, Telenor Movistar, Claro, Personal MTN, Vodacom Viettel, Mobifone Orange, Movistar, Vodafone
Tipping 15-20% at restaurants, 1USD or more per drink at cafes and bars 10% for restaurants, bars and services 5-10% in restaurants if service is exceptional, not expected elsewhere Round up for restaurants, not common for bars and services 10 - 15% at restaurants and bars 10% at restaurants and cafés is common, not common at bars 10 - 15% at restaurants, round up elsewhere Not required but appreciated, especially in taxis, restaurants and bars. Round up or add 10%. Not customary or expected but small tips are appreciated.
Taxi apps Uber, Lyft Grab Cabify, FreeNow Mytaxi, Uber Bolt, Fotaxi Uber (not official), Cabify, BA Taxi (Spanish only) Uber, Bolt Grab, GoViet Uber, Cabify, MyTaxi Free Now
Tap water Drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Not drinkable Drinkable
Overall cuisine Emphasis on barbecued meats (beef and pork) as well as corn-based dishes and tex-mex, and rich American-style desserts. Meat and fish dishes, vegetables, noodles and soup Catalan cuisine makes extensive use of Mediterranean vegetables, legumes mixed with pork in its many varieties, chicken and fish. Regularly mixes sweet and savory flavors in specific dishes. This cuisine is known for being bold in flavor and striking in color, with a variety of specific regional dishes found the culinary hub that is Barcelona. Heavy and hearty meals with plenty of meat, potatoes and bread Magyar cuisine makes extensive use of creams, cheeses and sauces primarily in beef, chicken and pork dishes, mixed with seasonal vegetables, fruits and rich desserts. Argentinian style with an emphasis on red meats, pastries, and Italian-inspired options South African cuisine has been shaped by a long history of Dutch, Malay, British and Indian settlements, making the food diverse and strong in flavor. There is a strong emphasis on game in all of its different forms, as well as spicy sauces and sautéed vegetables and dry-cured meats. Creamy desserts and liqueurs compliment large and flavorful meals. A mix of French, Southeast Asian and Chinese with lots of fresh herbs and spices. Northern Vietnam cuisine includes a lot of fish and noodles. Fresh, regional produce accentuated with garlic and olive oil and mixed with various meats and seafoods. Influenced both by Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern flavors.
Local food specialities Frito pie, queso, apple pie, kolaches, BBQ ribs, tacos Pad thai, tom yam, kway teow reua, som tum, sooan Paella, bombas, esqueixada, pa amb tomáquet, escalivada, crema Catalana, gazpacho, chorizo Currywurst, spätzle, königsberger klopse, schnitzel, eisbein, doner kebab, pretzels Goulash, Fisherman's soup, Főzelék, Somloi Galuska, Pörkölt and Paprikás, Kürtös Kalács, Hungarian Lecsó, Lángos Asado, empanadas (Argentinian style), locro, milanesa napolitana, facturas and alfajores Bitlong and droewors, boerewors, Cape Malay curry, bobotie, melkert, gatsby, bunny chow Pho, cha ca, Vietnamese coffee, pastries and breads Paella, tapas, tortilla, gazpacho, pulpo a la gallega, callos a la madrileña, churros
Eat like a local Local tex-mex restaurants, lunch BBQ joints, taquerias, food trucks, local breweries Food stalls, local markets, shophouse restaurants Taverns, tapas bars, local markets, bodegas and street food spots Brew pubs, cafes, bars, deli shops Local markets, cafés, taverns, street food, traditional restaurants Local restaurants serving asados grill-to-dish (Parrillas), markets (San Telmo, Recoleta) and local cafés for maté and facturas Cape Malay shacks, food trucks, street food joints, local grills, small bakeries and food markets Noodle Houses, Bakeries, Coffee and Tea Houses, street food Have some tapas and sangria at a tasca and paella at an authentic eatery. Keep an eye on the time and visit a cafeteria for a mid-afternoon merienda and some churros!
Vegetarian / vegan options 30 options on HappyCow 416 listings on Happy Cow 98 options on HappyCow 844 listings on Happy Cow 47 options on HappyCow 79 options on Happy Cow 24 options on HappyCow 104 listings on Happy Cow 85 listings on Happy Cow